The Allens have directly invested in the lives of LETU students, said LETU President Dr. Dale A. Lunsford, who presented the award. The Allens have provided scholarships and support for international travel, senior engineering projects and several other projects. They also have supported the construction of the Belcher Center and have shown their support to bring cultural arts to Longview by sponsoring shows in LETU’s annual Performance Series. A lobby in the Belcher Center was named in their honor. The university’s new student center which will open this spring is named in their honor.

The Allens have lived in Longview since 1969, when they were part of a family-owned John Deere tractor dealership with his father for 15 years. Over two decades ago, they launched their own successful business, Longview Scrap and Metal Company. Sidney Allen has been elected three times since 2007 to the Longview City Council. His current term expires in 2016. He has served on the construction advisory and appeals board, the financial task force, and the zoning board of adjustment. He has also been elected by the council as Mayor Pro Tem.

The Gossett Award is named for the late Henry O. Gossett, Jr., a Longview man who was a LeTourneau University supporter and founding president of the LETU President’s Advisory Council. After Gossett retired from the oil and gas business, he continued an active involvement with the university until his death in 2007. Beginning in 1998, the Gossett Award has been awarded to a community leader who demonstrates long-term commitment to LeTourneau University and strengthens the ties between the university and the Longview community through his or her service.

LeTourneau University is a Christ-centered, interdenominational institute of higher learning offering more than 90 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across a range of academic disciplines and delivery models. Students are enrolled in programs on ground at LETU’s residential campus in Longview, Texas, as well as hybrid and fully online options at educational centers in Dallas and Houston.

Claiming every workplace in every nation as their mission field, LeTourneau University graduates are professionals of ingenuity and Christlike character who see life’s work as a holy calling with eternal impact. For additional information, visit www.letu.edu.

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LeTourneau University news releases can be found online at www.letu.edu